Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-07-07
SET IN DIAMONDS
Dy Charlotte NJ. Braeme.
CHAPTER XXV.-CoNrINUED.


She was more proud and stately than
Marguer, te Marine had been, but withal
she was loving of heart-a proud, gen
erous, high-spirited girl, with fine
scorn for all meanness, fine contempt
for all that was ignoble. Her educa'
ton was superior to that of most girls.
Lord Stair had his own views and
theories he took her TO Germany to
study German and music; he [ ok heI
TO France TO study French; he had the
best masters for her. When Ethel
stair had reached her seventeenth year
she was brilliantly accomplished; then
Lord Stair took her to London. She
was presented by the Marchioness OF
Ho t., and all the world raved of her.
She had as my lovers as there was
days in the year; but this proud young
beauty cared little for homage or flat
terJ. The admirer she cared most for
was the yourg Duke Of Meath, who had
thought of nothing but her since the
mo lent he had first saw her.
Ethel inherited from her neither a
wa IN, passionate love of Nature. Lon
don, with all its gayetles, had not the
same charm for her as Oakcliile: she
prayed her father TO return home while
the lirst bloom was on the roses. On
this June morning, when our story re-
opens, she had persuaded her father,
who could never refuse her anything,
10 have the cofiee-cups carried out on
the terrace.
Il can lot rest indoors on a morning
like his" she said, which was reason
tiicient.
The ootman was ordered to carry
out a small table, and place it on the
terrace.
LET us have French breakfast,
papa" cried Ethel-'cotfee and rolls
and fruit"
Lord S'air never thought of denying
her anything she asked, or disputing
any wish of hers, however capriclous ii
might be. 1t was Il pretty scene-the
sun shining on the little table with its
delicate china and costly cd silver, the
rich, tempting fruit and fragrant coffee.
Lord Stair leaned back in his chair,
the better to enjoy the sunlight and
the flowers.
A pretty little wickerwork chair had
been carried out for IiSs Stair, and she
talked gayly enough as she drunk her
coffee.
II like fruit for breakfast, papa" she
aid. "Thes1 grapes look as though
they had caught the sunshine"
The ripple of the leaves-the faint
distant sound of the river-the song OF
the birds-tne sweet odOr OF lily and
rose the odor of newly mown hay that
came from the meadows-were all de-
lightful. Lord Stair looked at his
daughter with smile, as he said
"A jane day in England the most
q, -, . l,a
was looking away over the trees, anC
did not hear what he said. Suddenly
she glanced in his face.
Papa she sad, Il wish could re-
member my mother | wish | hat
known her."
His face changed as it always die
when his child ment oned her mother'i
name. He could remember how otter
he had seen her on the same terrace
the sun shining on her golden hair, her
face so pure, 80 bright and sweet. Some
times with the lutte Sunbeam in her
arms, again with Darcy Este by hel
side. All, fair sweet face. whose beauty
had been so long hidden, what would he
not have given if it could have beer
shining now by his side?'
How was it papa, that you have nc
portrait OF herr" asked Ethel: 'you
have Ladies Stair of all kinds hanging
on the walls, but of my mother the
most beautiful Lady Stair of all, you
have not even photograph. How il
it?''
81 do not know" sighed Lord Stair
'She never thought of it, and | never
did. You see Ethel, had never ever
dreamed that she would die so young
$50 young" repeated the girl, sadly
"She was not nineteen; so young, anC
she was so beautiful. Even Lady Hottie
who seldom praises, admits that my
mother was one of the loveliest women
in the world. | wish | had seen her
Did she love me very much?"
with all her heart he replied
"Little Sunbeam was her favorit,
name for you. She never used an,
other"
at must be delightful to have rea
living mother" said Ethel, earnestly
II cou not love any one better than
do you, papa. but it would be so differ
ent. / envy all girls who have mother
living"
II have done my best to make up TO-
the loss" he said, gently, and Ethe
fearing lest she had hurt him, went tC
him and laid her fair arms round his
neck; she kissed the still handsome face
which had lost so much of its pride and
GOODNESS.
"You have been all the world to me, ,
she said. "Father, mother, and friend
! suppose love of father and mother II
an innate instinct do not rememb bel
my mother; If she were living and stood
before me, should not recognize her
that seems strange, yet my mother
forms part of my life. / am always
thinking of her, wondering what she
was like-wondering what life woult
have been like with her. Papa" sh,
cried, suddenly, after a pause, "Aun
Thamer-I beg her pardon, she likes
her full title, the Marchioness OF Holt,
told me that / was never to talk t
Won about nv mothers death, that yot
could not bear it.. but | should like Il
know why she was travelling alone Il
London that December night withou
you?'
The very one question he could no
answer-the very one question he hat
never been able to answerhimself.
Why had she gone? His faith In hel
had not faltered. To him, through al
these years, her memory had been swee
and pure. lie could not believe her owl
words even against herself.
But he could not answer this question
why had she gone? Ethels dark eyes
were fixed upon him, and he was at
loss,
alt was altogether too awful" sht
said, "If my mother had delayed hel
journey but one day, If she had taken
an earlier train, even perhaps had you
been with her. she would have beer
alive now; why did she go alone, papa?'
lie must answer, only heaven knew